A “FERAL” thief was spared a prison sentence after being caught red handed stealing tools from a workman’s van.

Sammie Edmunds and accomplice Scott Starr took the items from a van belonging to Jon Downes in Hastings.

Edmunds, 32, had been given a suspended sentence just weeks earlier for burglaries.

But she has since made efforts to turn her life around and beat her drug addictions.

Her boss said that when Edmunds first arrived to work for a drinks drop company she was in a “feral” state.

At Lewes Crown Court Judge Mark Van Der Zwart said Edmunds has started to wean herself off drugs and become more stable in life.

The judge said she had stolen the items from under Mr Downes’ nose, as he was renovating a property nearby.

Amy Oliver, prosecuting, said Edmunds was in a relationship with Starr when the crime happened in March this year.

The duo took £767 worth of gear from the vehicle, but were spotted and caught nearby by police.

It put her in breach of a suspended sentence imposed in January for a non-dwelling burglary.

Edmunds, of Benbrook Road, Hastings, admitted theft from a motor vehicle, and going equipped for theft.

Richard Body, defending, said she had been using drugs after getting into abusive relationships over the past several years.

But she has since found employment and spent three months in prison on remand where she was worked to get herself off drugs.

Edmunds’ has now ended her relationship with Starr, the court heard.

Business owner Greg Beeden has offered Edmunds a job and accommodation with his company and gave evidence of her turnaround since March.

The judge said: “When Mr Beeden gave evidence, he said when he first met you you were dirty, you couldn’t put a comb through your hair.

“You were feral, in his words.

“But you have become a valued member of staff.”

The judge imposed a 14-week prison sentence for her latest crimes, but as Edmunds has already been waiting in prison she expects to be released very soon.

She has convictions for shoplifting and thefts from 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2020.

An option to activate a suspended sentence from January was not taken by the judge, who said the conditions including unpaid work would remain in place.

He ordered Edmunds to complete drugs dependency treatment, and will monitor her progress each month.

The judge said: “We have many people who have a prison spell hanging over their head who are deterred from committing crime, at least for the first few months.

“You were not deterred. That was either because you did not care, or because you were in the grip of drugs.

“We have heard your use of controlled drugs started during the course of an abusive relationship.

“You were vulnerable and suggestible.

“You have committed many offences to gain money to feed that addiction.

“If you breach these conditions you will be sent to prison.

“No more chances.”